173 Cannibals?

AUTHOR'S POV

With a coat fluttering over his right shoulder, Stellan hurriedly wrapped it around Helena. But, her cold stares and even her colder shoulder took him by surprise. "It's freezing out here, why didn't you wake me?", he rubbed her shoulders down to her arms warming her. Helena kept silent. "What's wrong? Did Iaso say something?", the paladin knight gently brushed her icy cheeks. He didn't had to wait for her to reply. He already knew something happened during her encounter with Iaso when he said, "Let's go back inside".

Helena wasn't bothered with Stellan's warm hand on hers as he drag her back to the cottage. They followed the leader of the coven whom she thought is very controlling and manipulative in her own ways. Downright, it was clear that Helena heard a spell that came out from Iaso's lips with a command enforcing her to find the traveler's stone and be part of something that's life threatening using compulsion magic. Some risky and an unimaginable pursuit that Iaso is forcing her to do. She was in a daze for a moment, but then, it seemed like the spell didn't worked on her. 'What a wicked witch', she thought.

"Palace knights!! We found palace knights!", a man's voice echoed through the village that came out as a warning to the Wiccans. All who haven't left yet went back to their homes, locked their doors and stayed inside as they hear the news that the grim reaper has come back in Wicce. Four intruders were caught. Their eyes were blindfolded with some narrow navy blue fabric, and their hands and feet were bound. They were all tied together in one queue, pulled by two warlocks as they enter Wicce's premises.

"At least we got the upperhand this time. Sir Stellan's traps worked well", one warlock said as he pull the captives at the forefront.

"Don't they look ordinary? I mean, they don't look like palace knights to me", the shortest warlock said as he look back at the common looking intruders. The royal knights who escorted the Prince last time were shining in their red capes on their war horses, white suits with golden chains and brooches. The worth of their stallions could even buy an entire farm.

"They are accompanied by a priest, no doubts that they are from the palace", a woman with jet black hair followed the captives as she held a torch in her hand. She had tough features, uncommon for a girl.

"Please don't hurt us", Umbriel, who's actually first in line, plead. Atrius, who's right behind him, kept still as he try to listen in the surroundings attentively. He was certain that one of their captors uttered Stellan's name. As they march blindly to oblivion, Atrius thought that these people are very dangerous. Prior to the heated exchange and altercation between them and the group of robed people, Atrius was certain not to be fooled by their sense of harmlessness. Ottis and Jac underestimated the odd looking fellows whom in just a snap, turned out to be magic wielding Wiccans with individually unique abilities who managed to overpower them. Unprepared and inexperienced as they are, they all ended right where they are now. Well, who would have thought that there will be Wiccans in a monster infested part of this kingdom, he thought.

With his blindfold loosening a little, Ottis managed to peek where they are being brought to. He was amazed when they walk past its entryway. "Your invisible gates have been opened, looks like the palace hates your guts too", Ottis realized that they have been brought to Wicce. He have been here several times before, and not once, he have never set his foot in. There's a strong force that blocks anyone's attempt of trespassing. Atrius then ascertained why the monsters are flocking around. They are coming for Wicce, a plate of nutriment open for all monsters in the middle of the forest.

"Shut your mouth!", another warlock with slender arms upfront said as he tug them forcibly with one hard pull forward. Umbriel almost tripped, the rest were able to keep up.

"Ottis shut it, you're gonna keep getting us in more trouble", Jacomus who's at the end of the line hushed his comrade in a low voice.

"Isn't this more trouble already? We're ending in a large cauldron", Ottis replied coolly. "But if you think about it, this is much better actually.. than being dragged away by an amarok in the tundras", he imagined.

"If only you didn't peeped at that witch, we won't be hung on bamboos like roasted pigs tonight", Jacomus is convinced that Wiccans are cannibals who eat people.

"I was taking a leak!! She peeped at me! Besides, you're the one who provoked them because of your paladin magic that's not even working again", Ottis justified his innocence as he pause from walking interrupting the march. He turned back at Jacomus and continued to argue with the biggest man of their group.

"What did you just say, you filthy piece of arse?", Althea glared and suddenly kicked Jacomus on the back of his knee, making him drop on his knees pulling the others down with him.

"Aww!", Jacomus grunted in pain. "I didn't say anything, Madam Lady Witch! That was him!", he snorted a chuckle.

"Please, in the name of the holy saints we are completely harmless!!", Umbriel plead as he clasp his hands together on the ground.

"Maybe we'll skin you first before we get the roasting started", another warlock warned. "Stand up, dinner can't be served late!", he taunted the priest that scared him even more. He felt entertained to hear such misunderstanding that Wiccans are cannibals.

"I don't think they adore priests so much, so keep quiet Umbriel", Atrius whispered as he help Umbriel get back on his feet even when he himself is bound. Just then, he tried so hard to loosen the ties around his wrists.

Just in time, Iaso reached the commotion that rattled Wicce hours before dinner, followed by Stellan and Helena, who were also on their way back to the cottage supposedly. "What's going on?", Iaso found six of her warlocks bearing torches led by Althea tugging four unidentified intruders. One seemed like a priest, and the rest didn't look anything close to a palace knight. "Who are these people?", the leader of the coven asked as she surround the area with bright lanterns.

"We beg of you! Do not skin us alive!", Umbriel frantically begged as he kneel back down.

"I don't make a good noodle soup, I'm too fatty", Jacomus sighed as she shook his head side to side.

When the lights cleared the wispy atmosphere, Helena immediately recognized her friends who were outrageously held as captives. She ran towards the so-called intruders with so much glee. Stellan watched how delightful Helena have become seeing her old friends. He knew that these stubborn mules won't just go astray even if Helena push them out. Though, it greatly concerns him that Helena is relatively close and trustful with these men. He cannot overlook the filthy nature of men and their hidden or evident salacious intentions on women.

"Umbriel?? Atrius!? Oh, Ottis!! Jac!! What are you guys doing here?", Helena gladly removed each of their blindfolds one at a time. Stellan didn't take his eyes away from Helena who just gave Atrius a hug.

"Hey Squirrel! If it isn't you!! Ya changed a bit!! Did that punk rebel kidnapped you? Told ya, he ain't good news", Ottis said as soon as Helena removed his blindfolds. Helena smiled and brushed the sides of Ottis' head where his hair have already grown, looking less like the mohawked guy that she met way back. Staring at the big difference in Helena's looks, they clamoured in excitement as they finally reunite in such unexpected time in an unexpected place.

"They aren't palace knights. They are all newly acquainted knights of Hesam whom we got separated from. They're all with me.", Stellan cleared the hostility to let the Wiccans cast their doubts aside on the uninvited guests.

The warlocks felt embarassed for wrongfully capturing Stellan's acquaintances. Iaso gave a signal to let go of the captives, as the warlocks abide. Apologetic as she is, Althea kept her head down before Iaso for dragging the other warlocks and doing such mistake.